The House No One Else WantedOne Saturday morning, Tyler and Grandpa Joe were driving through an older neighborhood near downtown Newton, not far from where the courthouse stands. That’s when they saw it—a weathered, neglected house that looked like it hadn’t been painted in twenty years. Peeling siding. A sagging porch. Windows are cloudy with age. The kind of house most people scroll past in listings without a second thought.The For Sale sign looked as tired as the house.Tyler laughed, “That place? It looks like it’s one raccoon away from being condemned.”Grandpa Joe grinned.“Ah, but look past the ugly. That house has good bones. And good bones don’t go out of style.”Tyler wasn’t convinced. The kitchen looked like a museum exhibit for 1973. The bathroom needed help. The floors creaked.... 11/06/2025

The Hickory Home Makeover That Paid Off. Thanks to the HomeStyle® Renovation Loan”When Marge and Dale Henderson first decided to sell their home in Hickory, North Carolina, they figured they’d slap on a fresh coat of paint, toss a “For Sale” sign in the yard, and call it a day. After all, they’d been there for 25 years. Surely, someone would fall in love with the “character” of their house—the squeaky floors, avocado-green kitchen, and all.Their real estate agent, bless her heart, politely cleared her throat and said, “Well… character is good, but buyers today are looking for updated character.”That’s when Marge’s jaw dropped and Dale’s wallet clenched.The Reality CheckThe couple had seen the shows on HGTV—buyers wanting “open concept,” “modern finishes,” and “luxury vinyl plank floorin... 11/01/2025

Hammer Time in Hickory: The Contractor Who Renovated His Own Home (Legally!)A Hickory BeginningWhen Tom and Lisa Bennett first set foot in Hickory, North Carolina, they weren’t looking for a dream house — they were looking for potential. The kind of potential that hid under faded vinyl siding, a sagging porch swing, and a roof that could qualify as modern art after one too many hailstorms.Tom was a licensed general contractor who could smell a bargain from a mile away — or at least from the Lowe’s parking lot. Lisa, his wife and self-proclaimed “Pinterest visionary,” could already see past the avocado-green appliances and wood-paneled walls.“This is it,” she said with that familiar sparkle in her eye. “It just needs a little love.”Tom adjusted his ball cap and squinted at the cracked fo... 10/24/2025

Growing Without Leaving: How One Family Used the FNMA HomeStyle® LoanMeta Description: Discover how a young family expanded their home with the Fannie Mae HomeStyle® Renovation Loan instead of moving. Learn how renovation financing, room additions, and expert guidance from a renovation consultant can help you stay in the neighborhood you love.A Family at a CrossroadsEthan and Rachel had always loved their neighborhood. Their home on Maplewood Lane, a brick ranch with ivy trailing along the porch, had seen them through marriage, late-night feedings, and the joyful chaos of raising two children—Ella (7) and Max (4).But as the kids grew and Ethan transitioned to full-time remote work, the walls began closing in. Ethan’s “home office” was just a corner of the dining room, complete with inte... 10/03/2025

Need a list of contractors to help you find one for your project?I get requests for a list of contractors for either general construction FHA 203k loan projects or, often, from new consultants wanting some referrals for their projects. In any case, for many years, we have shied away from sharing team members with others. The consultant is the first person on the job site. We work with the client to create a scope of work. That way, when we send it out to contractor(s) to bid, they are all getting the same work list. I finally broke down, and we have provided https://renovationcontractors.us/ with a full list of our contractors for publication. I knew we had done many 203k and related renovation projects, but I found that we had over 850 contractors on our list. #CMG Mortgage, #guild mor... 10/28/2024

Why You Should Use an FHA 203k Consultant, Even on a Limited ProjectUpdated 11/12/2024. The FHA 203k program is a powerful tool for homeowners and buyers looking to finance home improvements. While the Limited 203k program is designed for smaller projects under $75,000 as of November 4th, 2024, many people question the need for a consultant on such a seemingly straightforward renovation. The truth is that even a Limited 203k project can benefit significantly from the expertise of an FHA 203k consultant. The $75,000 might include a contingency reserve (it's up to the lender), plus costs and fees of about $800 that most people don't tell you. If you go over the $75,000, congratulations, you just made it a standard 203k. If your lender only does Limited 203k loans, you must find another le... 08/05/2024

Hickory NC - every time I open my eyes, I see 203k projectsNo kidding. We are buying a home in Hickory, NC currently, and on the way to it and back, I see so many potential projects. What did I see today?1. A small commercial building for sale. A stand-alone small store for sale... yep, it is a potential 203k loan. Typically, a lender would require a 30-35% downpayment, but if you add residential use to the 2nd floor or maybe the 2nd and 3rd floor, you get a residential rental unit, a living unit for yourself, and a commercial property for only 3.5% down.2. A multitude of single-family homes, in need of repairs and some TLC, caught my eye. We're not talking about a handful, but a significant number, possibly 50-60, in need of attention. Some of these properties weren't even on the marke... 06/11/2024

Can I use the FHA 203k program to build a garage?The short answer it "Yes you can". If there is no garage or a one-car garage, you can certainly add another one with this program. The photo is one we did a few years ago. It can even be the only work done on a project if that is all that is needed. In this case they had a wood deck that also provided some protection as a carport underneath. So there was no garage. We had another one in NC in 2008. The home was about a year old and had no garage, so the only work needed was a new two-car garage with an automatic garage door opener. This is clearly a good way to utilize the program. You can't add a five-car garage when you already have a two—or three-car garage. We had one like that in Antioch years ago. The borrower collected automobiles ... 12/07/2023

Lake Norman Lot SOLD in Riverwood Sorry, too late on this 1+ acre of tranquil living in the popular lakefront community of Riverwood. If you can't find the home you're looking for, why not custom build your dream home here, on your timeframe and with the builder of your choice?  This prime lot is located in an established neighborhood with low HOA fees of only $250/year. Community water is available or the buyers can install their own well.  Extra large, gently sloping lot with recent perc test performed (20' easement not available at time of perc test so, test incomplete but, verbally approved) - ready to build your dream home at Lake Norman!  Easy access to Mooresville and Denver. ***Note that 'your timeline' is unlimited until you have cleared the lot. At that time, you have 12-month... 10/02/2022

The photo above shows a church that was converted into an SFH. We have done about half a dozen over the years. This is where the alter was originally. Now it's a kitchen.I'm talking to a 203k consultant in Durham, NC, about a "rat" he found on one of his inspections.As all inspectors do, we see many odd things when conducting our inspections, but Dan found a rat wrapped around the terminals during his recent inspection. I'm sure he was trying to escape the weather, but dangers are lurking there... and rats can't read yet.I opened up a main panel once in an area just south of Durham NC to find a wasps nest and they were a bit perturbed I opened up the panel. On another project, there was a small housing or well cover at a home in NC that also contained quite a large hornet's nest; it doe... 11/19/2020

This Cute Ranch Home has 1259 HSF and Would Make the Perfect Starter Home or Downsizing Home. Located on a Quiet Street in Conover, it is the Perfect Setting in an Established Neighborhood.  Check it Out Today!  Let's Get You Scheduled to See It ASAP!  07/23/2020

Here's Your Chance to be Living the Lake Life by Spring! Spacious Waterfront Home in Sherrills Ford will be the Perfect Place to Create Wonderful Memories! Mike Kastner & Compass Real Estate Group want to Welcome You Home this Saturday! Stop By, Take the Tour and Make Your Offer!  MichaelKastner.eXpRealty.com 02/14/2020

 JUST REDUCED! ABSOLUTELY EXQUISITE PRIVATE ESTATE  8556 Dog Leg Road - Sherrills Ford, NCMLS #3288401 Beautiful Luxurious Home situated on 66 acres of Private Land. Gated Entry allows the home to not be visible from road and remains very quaint on its own. Detached workshops and 2 garages equal 8800+/-sq ft. Ponds, grottos, spa-like pool/hot tub, equestrian facilities/barn, indoor and outdoor basketball courts, par-3 putting green, pastures. Perfect for Entertainment and Relaxation. Guest house allows for more Fun and Room for Guests and Everyone. There is also a Guest House that is about 4900 sq ft. AND THERE IS SO MUCH MORE TO SEE!!!THIS ONE IS A "MUST SEE"!!! CLICK HERE to see a Virtual Tour of this AMAZING ESTATE!    Are you LOOKING FOR THE HOME OF YOUR DREAMS in the Mooresville, L... 10/19/2017

Sorry, Too Late! Rock Barn Country Club Home SOLD!Gosh, we hate you missed this fabulous home in popular Rock Barn Country Club! This ranch + 1/2 + full basement was the last one on the market and the first one SOLD in the community! Congratulations to our buyers and sellers who worked diligently to get this one to the Closing table. Only 40 minutes from Uptown, this primo country club is as short a commute as living in South Charlotte - if not shorter during rush hour!  If you're looking for a country club community that offers amazing amenities, you simply must check out Rock Barn Country Club!Here's a sample of what our Rock Barn Country Club sellers received in the way of marketing their beautiful home for sale. If you're thinking of listing your home, give us a call! Let's talk!  ©... 04/26/2017

OPEN HOUSE! Rock Barn Country Club | SAT 2/11 1-3:00PM2616 Nicklaus Court NE | Conover, NCJoin us for an open house Saturday, February 11 from 1:00 - 3:00 PM.  This one won't last long - FULL Brick, ranch + 1/2 with FULL BASEMENT that has been plumbed and is ready for finishing!  Gorgeous lot, lots of pluses to this one - here are a few:   Master on the main level Oversized bonus room upstairs Open, split floorplan with full basement Rock Barn Country Club amenities Full, unfinished basement, plumbed for future completion All new lighting Formal living room – perfect for that home office Formal dining with built-ins Quality, Jeff Keever-built home Central Vac Gleaming hardwoods Large lot – perfect for pool and/or additional 2-car garage!   *Click the flyer below to take the YouTube walk... 02/10/2017

  Catawba, NC Waterfront HomesCatawba is a small Town in the heart of the beautiful Catawba Valley in the Western Piedmont of North Carolina. It is one of only two municipalities in the County that borders the Catawba River.Catawba is approximately twenty minutes from Hickory, one hour from Charlotte, and just over one and a half hours from the mountains.  The Town offers something for everyone. Whether you would enjoy a nice picnic in the park, boating on the Catawba River or Lake Norman, a cool glass of lemonade on a hot summer day, or a delicious southern-style meal, this town is for you!The Town was designated a North Carolina Small Town Main Street community in the summer of 2010 by the North Carolina Department of Commerce.  As part of the designation the Town of Catawba receives ... 03/07/2016

NORTHVIEW HARBOUR: QUIET LIVING ON LAKE NORMAN’S WESTERN SHORE If peace and quiet in a lakefront setting is on your must-have list for house shopping then you might consider Northview Harbour in Sherrills Ford. Northview Harbour is the perfect place to call home if you want a truly low-key lifestyle but still desire a Lake Norman waterfront setting. The view from the patio of a beautiful Northview Harbour home that sold in 2015. The neighborhood is nestled into the quiet northwestern shore of Lake Norman and is a short drive from Mooresville, Statesville and Hickory. Metro Charlotte is about an hour’s drive (40 miles), so this is something to consider if you have to commute into Uptown on a daily basis. Still, if you are willing to make the drive in the name of a more quiet lifestyle th... 03/03/2016

  Terrell Waterfront HomesTerrell is an unincorporated community in Catawba County, North Carolina, United States with an approximate population of 860. The community center lies at the intersection of North Carolina Highway 150 and Sherrills Ford Road. Neighboring communities include Sherrills Ford to the north, Mooresville to the east and Denver to the southwest. Terrell is a Lake Norman community with many lake-centric activities and businesses.The Historic District is listed in the National Register of Historic Places. The most notable building contained therein is the Terrell Country Store, built in 1891, once a focal point of trade and commerce in the area.Water and sewer lines were installed in 2013 and a new library opened in 2014.There are approximately 860 people and 332 house... 03/01/2016

239 5TH ST SE, Hickory, NC 28602$105,0003 Bedrooms, 2 Baths, 1,380 s.f., 0.49 Acres Beautiful home near Downtown Hickory in the historic Kenworth Area.This home is simply wonderful with lots of original features and modern conveniences.The buyers will love the warm and inviting feel with its heart pine floors and craftsman era details. The home opens into a parlor that is currently being used as a dining room then leads to a large yet cozy living room.There are 2 large bedrooms and a master bedroom suite which is pretty rare for a home of this age.There is room on the front porch for rocking chairs or even a porch swing. The rear of the house has a deck that looks out into the wooded area behind the house. Schedule a showing today.  To learn more about this Historic Hickory NC Home For ... 05/31/2015

The "Best Party in Hickory" will take place at the Hickory Community Theatre on Monday, June 8th, 2015 at 6:30 pm.  This is HCT's annual Vacation Extravaganza promotion for the Theatre, featuring a draw down raffle for a $10,000 grand prize to use on the vacation of your dreams.Each ticket of $100 will admit two for the party that includes food and drink, as well as a silent auction with over 300 items ranging from hand crafted art to weekend getaways.  Tickets can be purchased from the Theatre board members, by phone at 828-327-3855 or online at www.hickorytheatre.org/extravaganza.         05/28/2015